Thursday, April 24, 2014

Mayor's Volunteer Award Nominees

OUTSTANDING EMERGING VOLUNTEER NOMINEE:  CORY YOUNG
 
 
Cory has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since February of 2012.  Cory was matched with his Little Brother, Sabastian, in the School Based Program. This commitment required Cory to visit with Sabastian one time a week throughout the school year. 
 
During their first few months of being matched, Cory quickly realized the areas that Sabastian needed the most support in.  He took the initiative to develop a system to help Sabastian improve in these areas.  This included communication with his teacher and mother to make sure all were on board.  Sabastian started getting his homework done in a timely manner, improved his grades, and his organization skills improved.  This took a lot of time and effort that was not required of the program and demonstrates Cory’s dedication to his Little Brother. 

After the 2012-2013 school year, Cory and Sabastian both decided that they wanted to expand their relationship. In June, their match moved to School-Based Plus, and they started visiting both in and outside of school. 

Sabastian enjoys the time that he gets to spend with Cory.  Much of Cory and Sabastian’s time together consists of attending athletic events, playing sports and taking part in Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored match activities.  Cory can also be found cheering Sabastian on at some of his own basketball games.  These are all things that Sabastian would not be able to do if Cory was not in his life.

 
 
VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINEE:  SCOTT KINTER
 
Scott Kinter has ‘Started Something BIG’ in more ways than one for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa.  He is one individual that has played an integral part in moving the agency forward and believes that mentoring works.  Through his dedication as a Big Brother and his leadership as an active Board Member, Scott brings the idea of volunteerism to a whole new level.
 
Scott has been matched with his current Little Brother, Ivan, since September, 2011 but originally became a Big Brother in 2009 and has been volunteering his time to young men ever since.  Scott’s Little Brother, Ivan, was 12 years old when he got involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Ivan had many struggles he faced on a daily basis and Ivan’s mother knew he desperately needed a companion to uplift him and show him the special and unique young man he really was inside.  In 2011, Scott entered Ivan’s life and he found the companion he was searching for.  The friendship didn’t blossom instantly, but Scott’s dedication to Ivan never faltered.  In fact, in the first year of their match together, Scott managed to meet with Ivan nearly every week, only missing two weeks that year! 
 
Now, Scott and Ivan have developed a profound friendship that will last well into Ivan’s future.  During visits together, Scott has made it his goal to teach Ivan ‘life lessons’ and better prepare him for adulthood.  Through these ‘life lessons,’ Ivan has developed an interest in wood working and fixing vehicles.  Ivan now knows how to fix odds and ends around his own home and how to make dinner for his family.  Ivan is sociable with others and his mother feels Scott came into Ivan’s life just in time to help break down his inner obstacles and unveil his confidence and bright smile; a smile that had once been hidden.
 
Being a Big Brother, is just one of the many ways Scott serves his community.  As an active Board of Directors member since January, 2012, Scott has supported the agency’s mission and has become a critical component to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa’s leadership and service delivery.  Currently, Scott holds the position of Board Secretary and guides his fellow members by his passion and unwavering commitment to drive the agency forward.  Scott collaborates with his colleagues to educate the community and promote the agency’s efforts in helping children succeed.  Scott has assisted in coordinating the agency’s fundraisers by offering his expertise in the area of marketing and public relations which has led to progressive results in the area of fund development.
 
Scott Kinter understands the importance of giving back and committing himself to serve his community in a multitude of ways.  In fact, Big Brothers Big Sisters recognized Scott’s diligent efforts by awarding him as the Big of the Year in 2012.  Scott has become a guiding force to a young man who was once struggling to find his way and continues to hold such strong passion in moving the agency forward to serve more children facing adversity in the Cedar Valley.


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Tips for Thursday: How Mentors Help Children Achieve PERMA...

Big Brothers Big Sisters had the opportunity earlier this year to attend the Prevention Conference sponsored by Pathways Behavioral Services.  During the keynote presentation, we learned the 5 main building blocks of well-being and happiness, known as PERMA.

PERMA is an acronym designed by psychologist, Martin Seligman, and can be applied in many different phases in life but especially designed for children as they develop.

Mentors are a vital resource in a child's life to help them achieve PERMA in the following ways:

Positivity:  mentors provide opportunities to children to stretch their imagination, face challenges and find solutions.

Engagement - mentors help children discover their strengths and arrange activities around those talents.  They provide opportunities to get involved in the community and participate in the activities around them.

Relationships - mentors model what a healthy friendship should resemble with their mentees.  They help children form a trusting bond and encourage children to form positive relationships with their peers.

Meaning - in a successful mentoring relationship, children feel they belong and find their purpose.  They feel worthy of happiness and strive to succeed.

Achievement - discovering new opportunities with their mentors, children are given the chance to master new skills they may not have otherwise discovered.  They set goals and believe the world has limitless opportunity waiting for them.


By giving a few hours of your time, a couple times a month, mentors shape a child's future for the better and empower them to achieve. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is in the air (at least we hope) so it's time to get outside and get active with your Little. To help you along, we've added a list of spring & summer activities for you to enjoy!

1. Walk the trails
2. Get an ice cream cone
3. Wash your car
4. Plant a garden or flowers
5. Volunteer at your community garden in Waterloo or Waverly
6. Go to city parades, concerts, and other events
7. Watch a movie outdoors during Cedar Falls' "Movies Under the Moon"
8. Make bubbles
9. Fly a kite
10. Go fishing
11. Rollerblade
12. Check out all the different parks
13. Have a picnic
14. Attend your Little's baseball, softball or other summer games
15. Visit the library on a rainy day
16. Explore the nature trails at Hartman Reserve
17. Visit the Arboretum
18. Visit a Farmer's Market and introduce new fruits and vegetables to your Little
19. Play catch
20. Make your own smoothies or popsicles
21. Read under a tree
22. Get creative and paint rocks, draw with sidewalk chalk or visit Pursuing Picasso
and paint pottery (remember to use your Big Card for a discount)
23. Build a birdhouse, Lego creations, boats to race, sand castles and forts
24. Volunteer
25. Visit the museums
26. Jump rope
27. Have a lemonade stand
28. Roast hog dogs or marshmallows
29. Visit the Sunrise Petting Zoo in Waterloo
30. Go swimming
31. Feed the birds and ducks at a pond or lake
32. Look at the clouds and pick out different shapes
33. Go to a Buck's baseball game
34. Paint your nails
35. Hula hoop
36. Catch butterflies and insects
37. Go to a fireworks show
38. Throw a Frisbee
39. Hopscotch
40. Visit the local Farmers-Markets
41. Visit the Resource Room at Big Brothers Big Sisters and check out the following items to use:
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, footballs, kickballs, baseballs
  • Wiffle bat and ball
  • Tennis rackets and tennis balls
  • Ladder Golf
  • Frisbees
  • Board games
  • Paint & craft materials
  • Hula hoops



Friday, April 4, 2014

March Matches and April Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in March:

Jordan Baker and Travez
Sarah Mallen and Bryndle
Dan McKenzie and Camden
Abby Souhrada and Nicole


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of April:

One Year:
Amanda Borglum and David
Kendra Giardino and Ahlivia
DiAndra Strelow and Lauryn
Cassie Upshaw and Maria

Two Years:
Natasha Chughtai and Shaniyah
Rick Gorman and Zach

Three Years:
Katie Klein and BreAnna
Dan Schimerowski and Chryshaun
Brad Timmerman and Ethan

Four Years:
Bob Hoffman and McKenna

Five Years:
Carol Houk and Nakia

Six Years:
Howard Craven and Marquese


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

In the News...

Take time to catch up on all the recent happenings at Big Brothers Big Sisters...


Big Casino Night Raises Nearly $15,000 - click here to read

Bigs of the Year Honored - read the article here and watch "Someone You Should Know" segment featuring Community Based Big Sister of the Year, Lara Guay,  here

2013 Magic Makers featured here

Check out the Winter Newsletter here